Iraqi Leader Renews Demand for US-Led Coalition Exit

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani reiterated his stance on Thursday for the withdrawal of the U.S.-led international anti-jihadist coalition from Iraq. This statement comes amid heightened regional tensions due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Speaking at a televised event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sudani emphasized the departure of coalition forces as vital for Iraq’s security and stability, and for maintaining positive bilateral relations with coalition countries. The Iraqi government, which is supported by Iran-aligned parties, has consistently expressed its desire for the exit of foreign troops from its territory.

Sudani’s comments follow recent U.S. strikes against pro-Iran groups in Iraq, which were in retaliation to attacks on American and coalition forces. These forces have been stationed in Iraq since 2014 to combat the Islamic State (IS) group. According to the Pentagon, there have been at least 130 attacks, including 53 in Iraq and 77 in Syria, against foreign troops from October 17 to January 11.

The attacks, mostly drone or rocket strikes targeting coalition forces, are often claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. This group is an alliance of Iran-linked armed factions opposing U.S. support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. A U.S. drone strike in early January resulted in the deaths of a military commander and a member of Harakat al-Nujaba, part of the Hashed al-Shaabi. The Hashed is an Iraqi state-integrated group comprising mainly pro-Iranian former paramilitary units.

Sudani also called for immediate dialogue to establish an understanding and timeline for ending the international advisers’ mission in Iraq. The U.S. currently has approximately 2,500 soldiers in Iraq and nearly 900 in Syria as part of the anti-IS coalition.

Since the end of 2021, the coalition in Iraq has stated that it has ceased all combat missions and is stationed at Iraqi military bases solely for advisory and training purposes. However, Sudani believes that the coalition’s presence is no longer necessary, stating that ISIS no longer poses a threat to the Iraqi state.